Let’s talk about self-care? Masturbation in particular. While this is a topic that can make some people blush and even cause AIs to balk, it's time to get over the taboo. Solo playtime is not just for kids. It may not be as trendy as meditation or yoga, but it sure is as hell practiced a lot more. The problem is we've been conditioned to think of it as something shameful or dirty. It is time for that to change. Whether you're single or in a relationship, masturbation is a form of self-care that has been scientifically proven to have a whole suite of benefits. It is time to bring masturbation out of the shadows and have a serious look at ways it can help us be happier and healthier.
1. Knock one out to reduce stress
Masturbate releases powerful neurochemicals
When you masturbate your body releases endorphins, which are natural chemicals that help to reduce pain and promote feelings of pleasure and relaxation. These endorphins help to reduce stress and anxiety, and have a calming effect on the body and mind.
The Benefits of Oxytocin and Dopamine
In addition to endorphins, masturbation can also trigger the release of other hormones such as oxytocin and dopamine. Oxytocin is often called the "cuddle hormone," as it is released during physical touch and promotes feelings of bonding and connection. Dopamine, on the other hand, is a neurotransmitter that is associated with pleasure and reward and thus contributes to positive feelings while reducing stress and anxiety.
Masturbation: the ultimate stress relief
Overall, the release of endorphins, oxytocin, and dopamine during masturbation will help you feel calmer, more centered, and less stressed. Because masturbation provides a healthy and safe way to release tension and promote relaxation it can be especially beneficial for individuals who experience chronic stress or anxiety.
2. How jerking off can boost your brain power
It’s true. It’s a scientific fact. Masturbation has been shown to make you smarter. Here are a few ways that it can boost your brain power:
Neurochemicals Released During Masturabation Improve Cognition
Firstly, masturbation stimulates the release of endorphins, oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin, which are neurochemicals that play a crucial role in regulating mood, stress, and cognitive function. Endorphins, for example, are natural opioids that can reduce pain and promote feelings of pleasure and relaxation. Oxytocin, on the other hand, is often referred to as the "cuddle hormone," as it is released during physical touch and can promote social bonding and reduce stress. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is associated with pleasure and reward, while serotonin is involved in regulating mood and appetite. The collective effect of flooding your brain with these neuroactive chemicals is that it improves your cognitive function.
Reduced Leads To Improved Brain Function
Secondly, as pointed out above, masturbation helps to reduce chronic stress, which has been linked to a range of negative cognitive outcomes, including impaired memory, reduced attention span, and decreased problem-solving abilities. Thus by reducing stress through masturbation, you can improve your overall brain function.
Finally, masturbation has been shown to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality, which further enhances cognitive performance and brain health.
3. Masturbation can improve your sexual health and function.
If you want to have good sex your bits need to work properly, right?. For men there is nothing more embarrassing and disappointing than not being able to get it up. Again, masturbation to the rescue.
Masturbation Reduces Erectile Dysfunction
Research studies published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine have shown that masturbation has positive effects on sexual function and health in both men and women. For instance, a study conducted by researchers at Harvard University found that men who masturbated more frequently had a lower risk of developing erectile dysfunction. This study involved more than 31,000 men and found that those who reported having sex or masturbating at least 21 times per month had a 33% lower risk of developing erectile dysfunction compared to men who reported having sex or masturbating less than 5 times per month.
Women Who Masturbate Experience More Desire
Similarly, another study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that women who masturbated more frequently had higher levels of sexual desire and better sexual function. This study involved more than 2,000 women and found that those who reported masturbating more frequently had higher scores on measures of sexual desire and sexual function compared to women who reported masturbating less frequently.
4. Masturbation can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Living with diabetes not only causes a massive reduction in the quality of life, it is a global killer. In 2019 it directly caused 1.5 million deaths and another 460,000 deaths by kidney disease caused by diabetes.
But, good news. You can get to enjoy yourself while reducing your risk of developing this life threatening illness.
A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that men who ejaculated more than 21 times per month were less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who ejaculated between six and 20 times per month.This might be because orgasms cause the release of hormones like prolactin, oxytocin and vasopressin--all of which promote feelings of well-being by triggering feelings of trust and bonding between partners.
5. Bust shame and guilt about your Sexuality
Nothing to be Ashamed of
Let’s face it, we all got here by an act sex. Sex is as natural and as essential as breathing. Despite this, sex and masturbation in particular, is still a taboo subject. Religion has played a toxic role in shaping attitudes towards sex and sexuality, often promoting strict moral codes and emphasizing the importance of sexual purity. As a result, individuals who grow up with strong religious influences may experience feelings of guilt and shame around sexual activity, particularly if it falls outside of the prescribed norms.
Why should you feel guilty about expressing your sexuality when it is a fundamental part of who we are.
So, if you are suffering guilt and shame associated with sex then masturbation can help.
Get Comfortable With Your Own Sexuality
Masturbation can provide a safe and empowering way for individuals to reclaim their own sexuality and overcome feelings of guilt or shame that may have been imposed upon them by external factors. Masturbation can help individuals to develop a positive and healthy relationship with their own sexuality. This is super important. By engaging in regular masturbation, individuals can become more comfortable with their own bodies and sexual responses, which can reduce feelings of shame or guilt around sex. This can be particularly helpful for individuals who have experienced sexual trauma or who have grown up in environments that promote negative attitudes towards sex.
A Safe Way To Explore Your Hidden Desires
Moreover, masturbation provides a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals to explore their own bodies and sexual desires. Unlike sexual activity with a partner, masturbation allows individuals to be completely in control of their own sexual experience. This can be particularly helpful for individuals who may feel guilty or ashamed about certain sexual desires or preferences that they are not comfortable sharing with a partner. By masturbating, individuals can explore these desires and preferences in a private and personal way, without fear of judgment or rejection.
6. Regularly jerking-off will make you a better lover
While masturbation is an awesome and pleasurable thing to do in the privacy of one's own bedroom, or wherever. It also can make you a better lover. Here's how:
- Increased self-awareness: Good lovers know and understand their sexual response and what they like. Masturbation allows you to explore your body and become more familiar with what feels pleasurable. This self-awareness can translate into better communication with a partner about what they like and don't like.
- As a man, have you ever had the embarrassing experience of cumming in the first few minutes or even before you even get down to it, leaving your partner either laughing at you or very disappointed. Well, masturbation can help improve your stamina and control. That is if you don’t race to the finish line every time you work yourself up. Take your time and try to extend the length of your sessions. Shoot for an hour or so. Imagine how satisfied a lover will be if you can keep it up and going until they are truly satisfied.
- Lets face it, sometimes we can get anxious about sex with a partner. Ever heard of performance anxiety. By learning to be comfortable with your own sexuality and response you can feel more relaxed and confident when you are joined by a partner.
- Better understanding of anatomy: Masturbation can help individuals become more familiar with their own anatomy and the anatomy of their partners, leading to more informed and pleasurable sexual experiences.
- When you project confidence in the bedroom it can be a huge turn-on for your partner and will make you more desirable. Masturbation can improve your confidence in your sexual abilities and desires, which can lead to more fulfilling sexual experiences with a partner.
7. Wankers have better immune systems
In the age of devastating pandemics and antibiotic-resistance superbugs having a robust immune system is a must. Let’s face it, getting sick is a straight up pain in the butt. Well you can make sure your immune system is in tip top condition by, you guessed it, knocking one out.
Masturbation Boosts Your Body’s Immune Response Cells
Research suggests that masturbation can increase the activity of certain immune cells, such as leukocytes and natural killer cells, which are responsible for fighting infections and cancer. In a study conducted on men, researchers found that masturbation increased the levels of leukocytes in the body, which are white blood cells that play a crucial role in fighting infections. Similarly, another study found that masturbation increased the activity of natural killer cells, which are specialized immune cells that are responsible for recognizing and destroying cancer cells.
Masturbation Releases Your Body’s Version of Cannabis
Masturbation can also have an impact on the levels of endocannabinoids and prolactin in the body, which are hormones that play a role in regulating the immune system. Endocannabinoids are natural compounds that are similar to the active ingredients in marijuana, and they have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Prolactin, on the other hand, is a hormone that is involved in lactation and has been shown to stimulate the immune system. By increasing the levels of endocannabinoids and prolactin in the body, masturbation helps to regulate the immune system and improve its ability to fight off infections and diseases.
8. Jerk your way to a better night's sleep
The Necessity Of Good Sleep
Sleep is king. It is absolutely essential for maintaining good health and well-being. It is crucial to regulating mood, cognitive function, and physical performance. Lack of sleep has been linked to increased risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression. In short if you are not sleeping well you need to do something about it, and guess what?
Masturbation Reduces Stress And Promotes Relaxation
Masturbation has been found to improve sleep quality. This is because it can reduce stress and promote relaxation, making it easier to fall asleep and have a better quality of sleep. During masturbation, the body releases endorphins, oxytocin, and other neurochemicals that promote feelings of pleasure and relaxation. This helps to reduce anxiety and promote restful sleep. Additionally, masturbation can increase levels of the hormone prolactin, which regulates sleep. By increasing prolactin levels, masturbation can help regulate the sleep-wake cycle and improve overall sleep quality.
9. Masturbation, nature’s sexiest painkiller
The Devastating Effects Of Chronic Pain
Pain sucks, right. If you are afflicted with persistent pain then you realize just how debilitating it can be. Chronic pain can lead to physical changes in the brain, such as reduced gray matter volume and altered neural activity, which can contribute to the development of anxiety and depression. Pain also interferes with sleep, reduces energy levels, and impairs cognitive function, which can further exacerbate the negative impact of pain on mental health.
The good news. Masturbation is a natural pain management tool.
Masturbation Releases Natural Chemicals That Reduce Pain
Masturbation has been shown to have potential benefits for pain relief. Again it is all about the chemicals released when we pleasure ourselves. When we get busy with masturbating, our body releases endorphins, which are natural painkillers. Endorphins are neurotransmitters that bind to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, which can help to reduce pain and promote feelings of pleasure and relaxation.
Pain Relief Through Reduced Muscle Tension
What is more, masturbation can reduce pain by promoting muscle relaxation and reducing tension in the body. Further, masturbation promotes healthy blood flow to parts of the body affected by pain. This can be particularly helpful for relieving pain in the pelvic area, such as menstrual cramps or pain associated with prostate inflammation. Masturbation can also help to reduce tension in the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and back, thus relieving tension headaches or other types of pain associated with muscle tension.
10. How masturbation can help combat depression
Depression: A Global Tragedy
Depression is an all too common mental illness that causes misery for millions of people worldwide with symptoms that include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyed. It is no surprise therefore that depression is a major reason people committ suicide.
Again masturbation can help.
Men Who Cum More Often Are Less Depressed
According to one study of 1,300 men in Croatia, those who masturbated seven or more times per week had a significantly reduced risk of suffering from depression when compared with those who only masturbated four times per month or less.
Masturbation Releases Feel Good Chemicals
Various studies support the findings cited above. One of the ways that masturbation can help alleviate depression is by releasing endorphins, which are natural feel-good chemicals produced by the brain. Endorphins can help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, and increase feelings of pleasure and happiness, which can counter the black dog. Further the practice can also help release oxytocin, which is a hormone that promotes feelings of relaxation and reduced stress.
Masturbation reduces causal factors that lead to depression
What is more, masturbation can help improve sleep, which is often disrupted in people with depression. It has been mentioned above that getting a good night's sleep is essential for maintaining good mental health. Masturbation can help promote relaxation and reduce anxiety, thus making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. It can also help release tension in the body, which also contributes to a more restful sleep.
Masturbation: A Great Way To Reduce Negative Emotions
Finally, jerking off can also be a healthy way to cope with negative emotions, which contribute to depression. This is because masturbation provides a sense of comfort, pleasure, and being in control of one’s own bodies and emotions.
Concluding remarks
The health and psychological benefits of masturbation are numerous and varied, but they are often overlooked or ignored in favor of moral lenses that prevent us from having a frank and open discussion about something that most of us do anyway.
The indisputable scientific evidence should be enough to convince even an overzealous prude that masturbation is a natural, healthy activity that could be viewed as an excellent self-care activity.
